One of the
objectives of the New Telecom Policy – 2012 is to work towards ‘one nation –
free roaming’. Stating this in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha
today, Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology,
said that as per the provisions of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
Act, 1997 as amended from time to time, TRAI prescribes tariffs for
telecommunication services in India. Taking into consideration the declared
intent of the New Telecom Policy – 2012 for roaming charges, TRAI undertook a
comprehensive consultation process to prescribe roaming charges. As a result of
a comprehensive consultation process, TRAI issued 55th amendment to Telecom
Tariff Order (TTO) 1999 on 17.06.2013, which came into effect from 01.07.2013.
This amendment brought about the following changes in the tariff regime for national
roaming service:
i.
The ceiling tariffs prescribed by TRAI in the year
2007 were Rs.1.40 per minute for outgoing local calls and Rs.2.40 per minute
for outgoing STD calls while on national roaming. These ceilings have
been reduced to Re. 1.00 per minute and Rs. 1.50 per minute respectively.
Similarly, the ceiling tariffs for incoming calls while on national roaming
have been reduced from Rs.1.75 per minute to Re. 0.75 per minute. Tariffs
for outgoing SMS while on national roaming, which were earlier under
forbearance have now been capped: outgoing SMS-local at Re. 1.00 per SMS and
outgoing SMS-STD at Rs. 1.50 per SMS. Incoming SMS will remain free of charge.
ii.
Special Tariff Vouchers(STVs) and Combo Vouchers with
the benefits of national roaming have been allowed to provide flexibility and
convenience to the customers.
iii.
The service providers have been mandated to offer
special tariff plans for roaming. The subscribers can avail partially free
roaming, or fully free roaming in lieu of payment of fixed charges, by
subscribing to the corresponding tariff plan.
All the
wireless access service providers including BSNL and MTNL have implemented the
tariff for national roaming in accordance with the reduced ceilings prescribed
through the 55th Amendment to Telecom Tariff Order (TTO), 1999. All the service
providers have launched special tariff plans for roaming. Some of the service
providers have launched special tariff vouchers and combo vouchers for national
roaming.
While the
reduced ceiling tariffs for national roaming service would benefit all the
users, special tariff vouchers and combo vouchers would be beneficial for
infrequent roamers. On the other hand, special tariff plans would benefit the
frequent roamers.
Source : PIB Release, 11 Dec, 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment